Help! Estate Agents or Private Landlord?

redcherry_girl

Hi,

I need some advice basically... I'm intending to move in with my partner as soon as possible and we have started looking for 1/2 bedroom flats to rent. We've come up against a small issue though. My partner has a full time job at the moment but I'm unemployed as I was looking for work but broke my foot. It is still broken and won't be checked up on now till the 26th of November.

The problem is firstly:

Should we go for flats advertised by estate agents or are private landlords trustworthy? (A friend of mine said that they charge £50+ more a month than private landlords as a rule, and we are short on cash at the moment)

Secondly:

Is it possible to get the contract put just in my partners name? (To avoid any difficultly regarding my broken foot that is, I doubt I'd fare well in a credit check right now. He has ample cash stashed away to cover my rent until I'm back to work even though he's monthly wage wouldn't reflect that)

Thanks in advance for any help, I'm beginning to tear my hair out as we're desperate to move in together due to both being in unbearable circumstances at the moment.

redcherry

pigeonpie

Hi, you'd have to think about whether your landlord would fix stuff that broke while you are renting eg the boiler in winter! Some private landlords are tricky to deal with. Then again so are some estate agents; some are notorious. You may be able to find a reliable smaller rental agency by asking around in the area?
AFAIK you can have the contract put in your partner's name as long as he and the landlord/agent are happy with that. If things don't work out for you though (not saying they won't), you don't have any AST rights but I'm sure you know that. You could ring Shelter or Lease for advice on your needs vis a vis AST law.

gotmyhandsfull

As a landlord myself who has property managed by an agent and soley managed by myself. I would say a private landlord would be the way forward. Private landlords don't charge the extortionate amounts that the letting agents do. I charge £24 for the credit/reference checks, nothing for the tenancy agreements or exteneded agreements. The letting agents that I use charge about £300 for the above and then invoice me about £250 for the intial agreement along with the 10% each month.
As long as 1 person will pass the credit/reference check take out tenancy in that name.
A new build flat may have teething problems but you are more likely to get any works repaired during the 1st 2 years as it will be covered by the builders. Landlord may even have something like british gas emergency cover so you will only have to wait 24hrs if there is any problems.
Also letting agents do seem to take along time to contact the landlords to get repairs sorted and they are only available office hours. Private landlords I think are more easily contactable.
Good Luck.

threesacrowd

hi, i would agree that a private landlord would be a better than a letting agency. This opinion is based on my bad experience with a letting agency. please please remember to take photos of everything when you move in. make sure theres an inventory, and keeps records of any repairs reported ect.
if you do this then either should be fine.

BrixMorta

Private Landlord should result in fewer charges to the tenant. Just make sure there is a comprehensive inventory and that your deposit is protected.

See here for useful information

http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/rentingandletting/privaterenting/tenantsrights/